2026-2027 Outreach Mini-Grant Recipients Announced

Thank you to everyone who applied for our 2026-2027 Outreach Mini-Grant cycle! We had 18 applicants and our COSAC team selected 15 recipients! We will be funding the following projects:

Apalachin Library
Project: Mixed Media Art Adventures
Awarded: $447
Description: The Mixed Media Art Adventure is a four-part creative series for children ages 8–12 that invites young artists to explore a variety of hands-on art techniques. Each session focuses on a different medium—ceramics, acrylic landscape painting, decoupage, and mosaic art—encouraging creativity, experimentation, and self-expression. Participants will learn basic skills, work with diverse materials, and complete a finished project in each class, all in a fun and supportive environment designed to spark imagination and confidence. Registration is available per class or for the complete four-part series.

Seymour Public Library District – Auburn
Project: After School Book and STEM Club
Awarded: $2,400
Description: Seymour Library will partner with Booker T. Washington Community Center’s After School Program to offer a book to STEM book club. At each session the group will come together to read a portion of a chapter book, discuss the story to enhance comprehension and follow up with a hands-on STEM activity.

Aurora Free Library
Project: Building Healthy Minds Inside and Out
Awarded: $1,905
Description: The Building Healthy Minds Inside and Out Project reaches children both inside and outside the library. First, it provides outreach to 7-12 year-olds to play the Dungeons & Dragons game to build their minds and strengthen their creativity and role-playing skills at the library. Secondly, the project reaches out to our local Food Pantry and provides books and Take and Make Kits for 65 families 4 times a year to grow their minds and build literacy skills through reading and healthy engaging activities at home.

Berkshire Free Library
Project: Children’s Learning Program
Awarded: $2,700
Description: Berkshire Free Library’s children’s programs promote enthusiasm for learning throughout the year. The programs are free, safe and accessible to all children in the area.

Candor Free Library
Project: DEI Outreach with Schneider Family Book Award Winners/Honorees
Awarded: $841
Description: Schneider Family Book Award winners and honorees that have been written for children ranging in age from 0-18 years old and that are related to a realistic aspect of “living with a disability or that of a friend or family member, whether the disability is physical, mental, or emotional” will be purchased and made available to all of our patrons as well as via interlibrary loan throughout the Finger Lakes Library System. This will be done to not only increase the diversity of our collection, but to hopefully make all members of our community feel included at the library.

Phillips Free Library – Homer
Project: Sweet sixty (and up!)
Awarded: $1,200
Description: The Sweet Sixty (and Up!) program is a welcoming social gathering where seniors can connect with and enjoy the company of their community. Spend a carefree afternoon starting with a meal, then an instructive wellness activity, or a fun craft or game. Close out the day with the joy of live music from local performers in an intimate setting. Often, the performers invite the participants to interact or sing along.

Lodi Whittier Library
Project: Collaborative Joy and Inclusion in Lodi Library
Awarded: $2,842
Description: The Lodi Whittier Library will provide supportive resources and programming to visitors of the Lodi Food Pantry. This includes coffee and tea, books and take-and-makes to keep, and family-friendly art and craft activities. Our goal is to create opportunities to connect with new community members and share the joy of learning and creating together.

Peck Memorial Library – Marathon
Project: Unearth a Story 2026
Awarded: $1,176
Description: Our summer reading program features a diverse group of talented performers and presenters who inspire creativity, curiosity, and a love of learning in participants of all ages. Performers include interactive presenters who bring books to life and ideas to life through engaging, high-energy programs. Our workshop leaders provide hands-on opportunities, fostering both skill building and self-expression. Together, they create a welcoming and inclusive environment that supports our community’s educational and cultural growth.

Lamont Memorial Free Library – McGraw
Project: Guided Painting with Capnsans
Awarded: $2,160
Description: Guided Painting with Capsans is a multigenerational program meant to teach individuals how to paint through in-person step by step instruction. CapnSans is a local artist who got her start right here in McGraw at Lamont Library frequently checking out our “how to draw” books. Each month features a themed painting and a comfortable setting where all are welcome to stretch their creative muscles. Participants of all skill levels and ages will leave with a beautiful piece of art and the satisfaction of knowing they created it.

Powers Library – Moravia
Project: Reading Buddies
Awarded: $697
Description: Powers Library aims to help build reading confidence for those with low reading skills and provide opportunities for the support young readers need to achieve improvement in reading proficiency. Reading Buddies is a project that can assist children in reading success. Those attending this program will be exposed to the library and will learn about other programs and opportunities that can help young readers grow.

Tappan-Spaulding Memorial Library – Newark Valley
Project: Adult Summer Reading Program
Awarded: $1,000
Description: The Adult Summer Reading Program promotes reading by providing some challenges to complete and prizes to work toward. Craft nights will be provided in addition to the reading challenges, ensuring that our patrons get to build connections in the community on multiple levels.

Coburn Free Library – Owego
Project: Brick Pond Adventure Backpacks
Awarded: $300
Description: In collaboration with the Waterman Conservation Education center the Coburn Free Library presents the Brick Pond Adventure Backpacks. Four backpacks will be available to guide adventurers through Brick Pond’s nature trails and a series of stations investigating topics including waterfowl, insects, aquatic plants, trees, how wetlands function, beavers, and the historic Hollenbeck Brick Yard. The overall goal of this project is to provide educational opportunity at no cost to at-risk youth, while providing opportunity to help mitigate mental health issues and highlight the Waterman Center and the educational resources it provides to the community.

Port Byron Library
Project: Port Byron 2nd Grade Library Field Trip
Awarded: $1,055
Description: Port Byron Library is excited to welcome local second graders for their annual library field trip tradition! Students will have the chance to explore the library, enjoy a guided tour, and learn how to use the resources available to them and their families. Thanks to the FLLS OMG, this year each student will receive a reusable tote bag made from recycled materials and a free book to take home, to create a lasting, tangible reminder of their visit and their connection to the library.

Tompkins County Public Library
Project: The Gay Agenda
Awarded: $3,000
Description: The Tompkins County Public Library is having The Gay Agenda during the month of June. This is a series of events that provides resources, information and a safe space for LGBTQ+ people, friends and families. From fun programs with crafts to more serious informative sessions, there is something for everybody at TCPL. TCPL will also be participating in the Ithaca Pride Festival at Pride in the Park on June 14th, which is a tabling event with crafts and resources.

Waterloo Library & Historical Society
Project: Adult Take & Make Kits Program
Awarded: $2,412
Description: The library provides Take & Make craft kits to residents of group homes, seniors, and individuals living in residential care facilities. The kits are distributed on a monthly basis. These kits are designed to be accessible for individuals with varying abilities. These kits may include a variety of creative projects such as painting, vinyl and wood crafts, sewing, and other hands-on artistic activities, all accompanied by clear, easy-to-follow instructions. Participation in the program is offered through a registration process to ensure equitable access and appropriate distribution of materials.

Information about the Outreach Mini Grant

The review team is made up of our 6 member Coordinated Outreach Services Advisory Council (COSAC). The role of COSAC is to advise the Finger Lakes Library System’s Outreach Department, assist in the evaluations of its coordinated outreach activities, and to promote collaborative efforts and partnerships. The Council is comprised of a mix of library staff and representatives from local human service agencies and institutions who serve our targeted outreach populations. We are always looking for new members. Please contact Jenny Shonk at jshonk@flls.org for more information on joining the council.

Funding was made possible for these grants through the New York State Library’s Coordinated Outreach Services Program. Under New York State Education Law, §273 (1) (h) (1), and Commissioner’s Regulations §90.3, Public Library Systems provide Coordinated Outreach Library Services directly and through their member libraries to New Yorkers who are most in need and who often are not regular library users. More information about the program can be found on the NYSL Coordinated Outreach webpage.

Congratulations to the recipients!

COSAC looks forward to hearing about the success of your projects!